Tyler Legacy’s Kylee Tapia against North Forney in a 2023 game.

Tyler Legacy has won 45 softball games the past two seasons, including a school-record 23 in 2022.

In 2022, the Lady Raiders also advanced to the area round of the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and just the second time in program history.

The Lady Raiders followed that with 22 wins last season and fell in three games to Wylie East in the bi-district round of the playoffs.

Legacy is looking to make it three straight years of more than 20 victories and get back to the postseason.

And while there are some familiar faces, Legacy head softball coach Justin Kniffen reminded his team that this is a new team and they have to carve out their own legacy.

“We’re excited,” Kniffen said. “We have a lot of starters who are back, seniors who are chomping at the bit. We have three who started since they were freshmen. This group has been invaluable to the program. We’ve started this upper trend, winning 20-plus games and the expectations are set really high. But this is a new team, and they have to carve out their own niche. Things are going to look a lot different than they did last year or the year before.”

Among the returners are catcher Mallory Kniffen, Kylee Tapia, Reese Neely, Alayla Underwood, Haylee Hulsey and Adaleigh Arivett.

Junior pitcher Sara Eckert is back but is out for the season with an injury. Eckert was 19-6 with a 1.31 ERA with 279 strikeouts and 59 walks in 160.1 innings.

Tapia and Aubrie Kirk will take team up for the pitching responsibilities for the Lady Raiders this season.

The Lady Raiders will also have two freshmen — Hadison Maxey and ReNaa Hicks.

“We’ve been waiting for them for a few years,” Kniffen said. “They are sparkplugs. They are very fast and are going to make things happen. Their softball IQ is off the charts.”

Kniffen said he expects his team to be able to put up a lot of runs this season.

Legacy will open the season Tuesday against Frisco at 6:30 p.m. in Frisco. The Lady Raiders will then go to the Frisco Tournament Feb. 15-17.

The Lady Raiders’ home opener will be against Cedar Hill at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 20. The Lady Raiders will also host tournaments on Feb. 22-24 and Feb. 29-March 2.